DAYTON — Organizers of the Dayton Air Show expect smaller crowds for the two-day event this
weekend, thanks to the Air Force Thunderbirds and other military support pulling out because of
federal budget cuts.

The show, one of the oldest and most prominent in the country, usually draws around 70,000
people to the Dayton International Airport and has a $3.2 million impact on the local economy. But
the Thunderbirds precision jet team had to withdraw this year because of federal cutbacks. Military
support from Wright-Patterson Air Force Base also will not participate.

The base near Dayton is the state’s largest military installation and typically lends aircraft,
vehicles and about 300 personnel to help set up the show. The U.S. Department of Defense has barred
military aircraft on air-show grounds, marking the first time in the four-decade history of the
show that the Air Force will not have a giant cargo jet on display.

Air-show general manager Brenda Kerfoot said that without the jet team in the lineup, the show
could have 30 percent lower attendance.

The show, sponsored by Vectren Corp., will feature civilian aerial performers such as Team
Fastrax, which is replacing the Army’s Golden Knights parachute team, and pilots who fly classic
military jets.

John Cudahy, president of the International Council of Air Shows, said 61 air shows out of about
300 nationwide canceled this season because military jet teams and other support were removed. He
said the total economic loss in those communities amounted to about $400 million.

The Dayton show’s largest crowd in recent years was 80,000 in 2009 when the Thunderbirds
performed. Last year’s crowd dropped to 47,000 because of extreme heat.